Purdue News
Purdue News
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April 27, 2001 Purdue hosts 18th aseptic processing and packaging workshopWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Department of Food Science is hosting a four-day workshop May 14-17 for food processors interested in learning more about aseptic processing. The 18th annual workshop, "Focus on the Present, Planning on the Future," will focus on aseptic processing, a method of packaging food that improves storage and increases shelf life of perishable products such as orange juice. Philip F. Nelson, head of the Department of Food Science, developed the aseptic bulk storage technology now being widely used by the food industry. He will be a featured speaker at the conference. "Orange juice – not from concentrate – can be distributed around the world because of the technology developed by Nelson," said Steve Smith, Purdue processing specialist. "A whole new market in Europe and Asia has been created for U.S. orange juice and, as a result, more non-concentrated aseptically processed juice is being consumed than frozen concentrated juices." The four-day conference will include sessions titled "Microbiology Principles in Aseptic Processing," "Chemical Considerations of Aseptic Processing," "Aseptic Packaging Technology" and "Principles of Thermal Processing as Related to Aseptic Processing." Individuals who register and attend the conference, which costs $1,350, are eligible for a federal government lifetime learning tax credit. To register by phone, call (765) 494-9499 or (800) 359-2968, ext. 92M, before Friday, May 11. Nelson has been actively involved in aseptic processing for more than 30 years and holds nine U.S. patents relative to this technology. In 1973, he was instrumental to the first full-scale operation in the United States – the storage of single strength tomato juice in 40,000 gallon aseptic tanks in Geneva, Ind. Nelson's contribution to the facility included the process itself and the development of the valves, filters, sterilization equipment and transferring systems. He also helped bring the technology to Japan. Since then, many other aseptic processing and storage facilities embodying Nelson's technology have been constructed worldwide. Nelson later developed aseptic bag-in-box packaging technology, which reduced the seasonal dependency that once limited processors with narrow harvest times. The technology also provides more flexibility for processors to choose final product form in order to more accurately meet demand. This technology has provided an inexpensive packaging system which has become an essential element in effective food distribution around the world, including in developing nations. CONTACT: Steve Smith, Purdue processing specialist, (765) 494-7706, smithrs@purdue.edu. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Journalists interested in attending all or part of the conference, should contact Steve Smith, (765) 494-7706.
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